Iolanda DeDominicis Bowman

Iolanda was born on June 26, 1931 in Trieste, Italy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nikola DeDominicis and Francesca Gojca DeDominicis of Trieste, Italy, her sister Maria Bowen of El Paso, Texas, her sister Francesca Sai of Trieste, her brother, Umberto DeDominicis of Cleveland, Ohio and a special caretaker Rosalia Morris of Lynchburg.

Iolanda was the widow of Staff Sergeant John C. Bowman (Ret.). They met after WWII in Trieste, Italy, where Staff Sergeant Bowman was a member of the Trust Troopers, a group of American servicemen tasked with maintaining order in the Free Territory of Trieste. It was love at first sight for John, but Iolanda needed persuading. They were married on October 9, 1949, and enjoyed 69 years of wedded bliss. They loved each other immensely, and were truly “soul mates”. They traveled the world with four children in tow, finally settling in Lynchburg, Virginia. They were very active members of Holy Cross Catholic Church until they became too ill to serve.

Iolanda was also preceded in death by two of her beloved children, Christina Bowman Evans, and Robert S. Bowman, both of Lynchburg.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her sisters, Christina DeDominicis Prock of Parma, Ohio and Graciella DeDominicis Liuzzo, of Rome Italy, her daughters Mary (Ani) Bowman Bagby (Bill), of Charlotte Court House and Marina Bowman Pillow (Johnny) of Lynchburg. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Roy Atron Evans of Lynchburg, grandchildren, Matthew Lofton Bagby and Erin Bagby Lewis (Daniel) of Charlotte Court House, Brandon Michael Evans (Dana), of Lynchburg, Stefanie Evans Stewart (Doug) of Roanoke, Jonathan Atron Evans of Lynchburg, Jennifer Pillow Cunningham (Luke) of Lynchburg, Hanna Scott Pillow of Lynchburg, Robert Michael Bowman of Herndon, and Nicole Bowman Hodges (Allen) of Roanoke. John and Iolanda were also blessed with 12 great-grandchildren. Iolanda also had wonderful caretakers who she truly loved and appreciated. A special thanks to the nurses and aides of Gentle Shepherd Hospice, they were wonderful.

Iolanda was a gifted seamstress, making gorgeous clothing for herself and her family, and loved to crochet and knit. If you were lucky enough to receive one of her creations, you were truly blessed.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Father Salvador Anonuevo will officiate. A reception will follow the Mass.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Whitten Timberlake Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, P.O. Box 71450, Henrico, VA 23255.